Enough signatures gathered to put Missouri sports betting on ballot, supporters say

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The group behind an effort to legalize sports betting say it has enough signatures to put the issue to legalize sports betting on the Missouri ballot.

The “Winning for Missouri Education” effort announced Wednesday more than 300,000 people have signed the petition to legalize the issue in the state. The campaign is required to turn in about 1800,000 valid signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office by May 5.

Campaign organizers said they hope to turn in 325,000 signatures, just to make sure they have enough.

“As the campaign approaches our goal of putting this on the November ballot, Missouri is a step closer to allowing Missouri adults to bet on sports, while generating tens of millions in annual funding for our classrooms,” Jack Cardetti, Winning for Missouri Education spokesperson, said.

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Missouri’s six professional sports franchises are behind the Winning for Missouri Education coalition.

If passed, the initiative would allow Missourians to participate in legal sports betting. It would be regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Sports betting would be taxes at 10%. The tax is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars that would go to fund Missouri public education, according to supporters.

If the Secretary of State’s Office can validate 180,000 signatures, the issue will be placed on the November ballot.

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The issue has failed multiple past attempts in the Missouri Senate.

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